Page 112 - Job

Reading JOB to Know God

Chapter 10 Getting to Job's Heart

Now, I realize that the bulk of commentators point out the self-
righteousness of Job. On the surface it certainly looks like he is. But if you
get into the spirit of the book, I do not believe self-righteousness was his real
problem. Now, of course, Job was a sinner, as all men are sinners. He was
proud, as all men are proud. He was unbelieving, as all men are
unbelieving. He was self-righteous, as all of us are self-righteous. I do not
believe, as I once did, that God allowed all this in Job’s life to take out that
deep, deep, rooted sin of self-righteousness. Job was really honest. Let me
give you an illustration.
If I say I am faithful to my wife, and I have no eyes for any other woman.
That I love her exclusively, and I never desire another relationship. Is that
self-righteousness? I don’t think so. That is my real heart. That is how I feel
inside; that is the truth. By saying I am true to my wife, I am not denying the
propensities of my wicked heart. I know the potential that is there. I have
seen some Godly men fall. I am not saying that my heart is untouchable. But
I am saying that I am true to my wife. I believe that is what Job was saying.
He is not saying that he is perfect. He is saying, I have been true to the
Lord. My heart is right. I have not rebelled against God. My life is for Him.
I do not think he is being self-righteous. I think he is being honest.
Okay, let’s turn then to chapter 15. Eliphaz is the first to speak. Eliphaz
means “God is gold.” Unfortunately he does not value the Lord like his
name implies. Eliphaz is a descendant from Esau, and that shows in his
character. Even though Eliphaz is the oldest, most dignified and most
considerate of all of Job’s friends, this cycle of debates is going to illustrate
that he is greatly annoyed.
Now remember the chief problem was that Job did not accurately express
the depth of his anguish. Now since the three comforters heard only what
came out of Job’s mouth, these debates have been going around in circles.
They were answering his lips, but not his heart. The more he tried to
explain, the deeper he dug a hole. Did you ever get into a spot where the
more you explained something, the worse it sounded? Well, that is how it
went with Job. The more he tries to explain, the more his lips sound

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